SLEEPING GIANTS
Kennedy and Ferry aim to awaken Kilby’s full potential at K-Park
Mick Kennedy believes East Kilbride Football Club is a sleeping giant and he hopes he can be the one to awaken their full potential.
The new Kilby boss has spoken for the first time since being appointed at K-Park late last month and believes the club will only get bigger and better if they manage to end their near-decade wait for a place in the Scottish Professional Football League.
Ex-Darvel boss Kennedy, who caused an upset for the ages when he knocked Premiership Aberdeen out of the Scottish Cup this season, knows he has a big job on his hands to get EK out of the fifth tier, but he says that task is one of the main reasons for taking on the challenge.
He told the News: “When I went to Darvel I had to do a hell of a lot to get that club into a position where it was one of the most professionally run clubs in the league and in part-time football.
“I did that because I think it is important you have the best infrastructure you can for your players, but that infrastructure is already in place at East Kilbride.
“I don’t have to do that work, have that vision, plan and strategy for those things because it is already there.
“So that means my focus is on getting the right team on the park.
“There’s other things as well like the central location. Where the club is based helps us in terms of recruitment with the size of the population in the town.
“I think the club is a bit of a sleeping giant, to be honest.
“If somebody gets it right – and I hope that is us – then there are massive opportunities there. But that will only happen if you are successful.
“Ultimately, there’s nothing else that is acceptable here than being successful.
“There have been a lot of quality players at East Kilbride in the last few years and, for one reason or another, they just haven’t managed to get over the line.
“This year has been a disappointment for everyone at the club, finishing sixth in the league, so there is a lot of work to be done.
“I am fully aware of the task that lies in front of me and I don’t think it is going to be easy. It is a massive challenge but the work has already begun to bring new players in.”
Kennedy also insisted he and Ferry turned down offers from bigger clubs to join Kilby.
He added: “There were a couple of conversations with clubs slightly higher and they’ve just not felt right, and not gone any further for other reasons as well.
“I know Si has also had two opportunities with teams above the Lowland League as well. But the two of us made the decision recently that we wanted to work together, so we believe that East Kilbride is the right environment for both of us to bring success.”